Consumer rights

Door-to-door selling refers to sales situations where

• the seller makes an unsolicited visit to a private home,
• a home selling party is arranged in a private home and
• goods are sold temporarily in places such as a day centre, hospital or place of employment.

Door-to-door selling does not refer to

• selling products in the lobby of a department store, at an exhibition stand or as part of travelling sales presentations to which people are invited by advertisements.
  These situations are, however, considered to be door-to-door selling when transport to the event is arranged for customers.
• A consumer inviting a salesperson to his home at his own initiative to make a sales transaction or perform work is not considered door-to-door selling. This includes requesting an electrician or TV repairman to visit a private home. However, the service provider or salesperson performing work or selling items other than what he was commissioned to do would be considered door-to-door selling. The same goes for situations where the consumer has invited a service provider or salesperson to his home to make an offer, but instead is required to accept an offer immediately.

Door-to-door selling regulations do not apply to

• sales transactions where the price of the item or the total price of items sold at the same time is less than 15 euros.
• sales or rental of fixed property or a contract pertaining to insurance, timeshares or securities as defined by the Securities Market Act.

Check the salesperson's information

The consumer has the right to decide who will enter his home and when is a suitable time for the visit. Dealing with a person who fails to introduce themselves in a trustworthy manner is not recommended. The name and address of the door-to-door salesperson should always be noted. Consumers can always refuse to make a purchase. There is no obligation to purchase, regardless of how much time the salesperson has used to demonstrate the product. Always take time to carefully read the terms of contract.

Contract terms are negotiable. If the salesperson demonstrates the product by using brochures or a sample item, it is a good idea to only pay the purchase price after taking delivery of the product. Buyers should not pay for the product until they have received it.